24 May 2004	Monday	04 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

PARIS, May 23: The world's best tennis player Roger Federer faces a credibility test this week when he launches his bid to win the French Open for the first time.

Beaten in the first round on his last two visits to Roland Garros, the 22-year-old top seed from Switzerland, recognised as the best all-round player on the tour, has yet to prove himself on the sapping Paris clay.

The Wimbledon and Australian Open champion opens up against a qualifier so another first-round defeat seems unthinkable, but matters could quickly get difficult for the languidly brilliant Swiss with former champion Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil and Argentine David Nalbandian in his quarter of the draw.

While Federer's sheer class makes him favourite, Argentine Guillermo Coria, a semifinalist last year, can claim to be the form player going into the championships.

His defeat by Federer in the Hamburg this month ended a run of 31 wins on clay, dating back to his shock semifinal defeat by Dutchman Martin Verkerk at Roland Garros last year.

Coria, seeking his maiden grand slam, has a far from easy first-round match against Russian Nikolay Davydenko. Second seed Andy Roddick, like Federer, has yet to indicate he has the patience and application to win the most gruelling Grand Slam of the year.

The US Open champion opens against a familiar foe in experienced compatriot Todd Martin with a possible quarterfinal against another compatriot, Andre Agassi. Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, seeded four, has endured a miserable season so far due to illness and injury.

A first-round meeting with dangerous German Tommy Haas was certainly not what the doctor ordered, however, and his resurgent compatriot Carlos Moya may be a better bet for Spanish fans.

Others to watch out for include aggressive Chilean clay specialist Fernando Gonzalez and another powerful German, Rainer Schuettler. An intriguing women's tournament is in store with none of the leading contenders in tip-top condition, bar Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo.

A winner on clay at Berlin and Rome, she has consistently under-performed in her home event slam but this is undoubtedly her best opportunity to break her Grand Slam duck. The third seed opens up against Slovakia's Ludmila Cervanova and such is the draw she may not be properly tested until a possible quarterfinal against American Lindsay Davenport.

Holder Justine Henin-Hardenne says she is glad just to be competing after a debilitating viral infection deprived her of any real preparation. The Belgian world number one and top seed faces a tricky opening game against French wildcard Sandrine Testud.

Second seed Serena Williams, beaten in an acrimonious semifinal by Henin-Hardenne last year, is looking close to her best following knee surgery and should dispatch Czech player Iveta Benesova easily enough.

She will have noted the presence in her quarter of the draw of compatriot Jennifer Capriati and 47-year-old Martina Navratilova, whose first grand slam match in 10 years against Argentine Gisela Dulko should be one of the highlights of the first round.

With last year's losing finalist Kim Clijsters missing through injury, Serena's older sister Venus is the other obvious contender, although her record in Paris is relatively poor and she is not fully fit.

Last year she lost to Vera Zvonareva, who together with compatriots Anastasia Myskina, Nadia Petrova and Elena Dementieva should spearhead another impressive showing by the Russians. -Reuters